of multnomah



Dec. 6, 1927.

J. E. LONG ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CAONTROLLING APPARATUS Original Filed June 7, 1925 Loooooooo ooooouooq ooooooo cenno "UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

OHN l. LONG, l ILTNOIAHI, OBEGON,`ABSIGNOB TO LONG ELECTRIC SIGN OOI- PANY, 0F HULTNOIAH, OREGON, .A CORPORATION Ol' OREGON.

mCTBIC-CIBCUIT-CONTBOLLING APPARATUS.

Uilm N0. 1,5712, dated February 0, 1926, lell N0. 653,971, Med Inno' 7, 1088. Applicationifu' n rellene led April 13, 1027. Serial No. 183,574.

The principal ob]ect of my invention is rovide va simple and etlcient device for.

to uti lzing 'a mova le perforated ribbon-like control element of insulating material adapted to be immersed in a bath of mercury or similar liquid and to overlie a series of spaced contacts which except for such con-l trol element would be in electrical connection with such bath. Movement of such ribbon-like control element over said contacts brings the perforations in the former into registration with the latter.

One example of the use of my invention 1s disclosed in the accompanying drawings in which an electric si comprising a bank of lights is controlled improved control apparatus in which a ank of terminals, corres nding in number and pattern to the lig ts on the sign, is arranged upon the horizontal bottom of a mercurv filled receptacle. A ta perforated in'predetermned desi n is l across said bottom separating' t e mercury, which constitutes one terminal in such apparatus, froln such bank of terminals in the bottom. When the perforations are arranged in registr f with any of the bottom terminals an e ect-tical connection Ais made thru the corresponding light in the sign and thus the designs formed in the tape are transmitted to the sign.

A further object of my invention is to rovide .control apparatus of this character in which the tape element does not have -I to be maintained under substantial tensionl in order to maintain a vfluid tight connection with the spaced contacts.

A further object of my invention is to improve the corresponding devices illustrated m my', prior Patent No. 1.394,565, granted 4s October 25, 1921. In such former patent the tracker bar 22, is movable into the bath of mercury constituting oneterminal of s uch (,-ontrolling means. and must be raised to` allow insertion of the breaker tape. It has 5u a curved lower surface which presses the tape into the bath. y

lu practice it was found necessary to have a large -number of `electrical conduits extending into this tracker, running as as from 600 to 1000. This made the cable containin these conduits above the tracker so rigid t at the tracker could not be raised to al ow the tape to be inserted and then lowered to the bath and it would remain in a rigid, fixed position. It was found impossible to successull assemble these arts because a large num er of wires was a solutely necessary in large signs. This objection was overcome by havingl all of the terminals fixed in osition in t e bottom of the receptacle wit their ends forming spaced contacts embedded in such bottom and facing the interior of the receptacle.

In the control apparatus shown in my former patent, it is apparent that if there is a slac ening of the ta the mercury will flow over it and cause t e closin of all of thecrcuits thus uncovered to estroy 'the etlicient control by such apparatus, and this trouble frequently occurred. In my present improvement the grid provides a close vfitting guide with the inner surface of the bottom of the receptacle which aided by the stiffness of the tape prevents the inadvertent uncovering of unregistering contacts even though the tension of the tape is substantiall eliminated.

e tracker 22 having a curved surface, requires a substantial degree of tension to be imposed upon the vtape to retain it in ecient engagement therewith and such tension causes severe wear upon both the tape and the terminals, and such tension often breaks the tape, requiring its frequent replacement. In my improvedv device the terminal holding member is plane and the necessary tension to pass under the grid fis light and yet the latter is placed in such close proximity to such holding member that it prevents buckling if the tension is substantially diminished, such buckling wouldl permit mercury to pass beneath the tape with they consequences previously noted.

The terminal surface of the tracker is limited `to the wetted arc thereof whichvis immersed in the mercury bath and over which arc the tape functions as a circuit control. In my present improvement, the plane terminal surface may be extended far such beyond any possible immersed arc of a curved member, without duplication of such units. The grid will hold the ta in etlicient operating position over any ired or convenient length of terminal surface, which is impossible with a curved tracker.

On the tracker-22 the outer terminals must be positioned closer together than at the center thereof, so as to register with the equall spaced perforations in thetape, and

difference in spacing of the terminals requires intricate calculations and thus causes added expense in construction and permits greater possibilities of error. The uniformspacing of the terminals in my imroved device permits identical designs to be ormedon the control tape and upon the bank of contacts, thus simplifying. construction and reducing'the cost of construction.

The slight difference in headpressure of the mercury bath upon the tape seemingly causes poor contacts at the outer edges of the tracker which difference in head is eliminated where the terminal surface lies wholl within a yplane surface and horizontal After exposure 'to elements a scum forms on the mercury surface and if any portion of the terminal surface is in contact with such scum, oor contacts will result to the detriment o the lighting design of a si controlled by such device. Arranging t e terminals in the bottom of a.` receptacle in which the pool of mercury overlies such terminals, prevents such undesired result.

The detalls of construction and operation of my invention are hereinafter described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. I is a front elevation of light frame and sectional elevation of the mercury bath terminal and related parts of the mechanism;

Fig. II is an enlarged cross-section of the mercury terminal and adjacent parts on the line II--II of Fig. III;

Fig. III is a top plan view of the mercury bath terminal and tape guide grid.

IV is an enlarged side elevation of the tage guide grid with parts broken' away.

ig. V is a sectional elevation of a portion of the lamp terminal plate showing thread means for lamp sockets and connections.

FigJVI is a plan view of a part of the terminal socket late.

Fig. VII is a p an view of a port-ion of the circuit control.

Like characters refer to like parts in all views.

A frame 8 of insulating material and of convenient' form and size is provided for the lamp display. The frame may be set up in any place where4 its illuminated display `is desired to be exhibited. Upon the rear of lamp terminals 16.

mso

the frame 8 a common terminal and socket 'plate 9, preferably of copper, is rigidly secured. A bank of socket apertures 10 is arranged with the sockets in quadrilateral positions. Adjacent to each socket the plate is slightly split andthe split parts bent outwardly from the plate in opposite ydirections to form thread ears l1. To the rear of the plate 9 and conveniently spaced therefrom, is a. back-board 12 of non-conducting ma.- terialfrigidly secured and provided with apertures 13 oppositely disposed to the plate sockets `f10. Electric lamps 14, of a common type, having a circular threaded terminal 15 and an end terminal 16 are screwed into the sockets 10 until their end terminals 16v extend through the back-board 12. A wire Iconta-ct metallic plate 17 is secured upon the rear of the back-board over the aperture 13 to receive the lamp terminal 16` in engagement. A conducting wire 18 has one end integrally secured to the plate 17. The same. arrangement prevails with the entire series of lamps and wlres. A conducting wire 19 has one end integrally secured to the plate 9 and extends therefrom to an integral connection with one terminal 20 of an electrical battery 21.

Below the lamp display part of the apparatus a quadrilateral trough formed receptacle 22 of insulating ymaterial is horizontally secured upon standards 23 in rigid position. The bottom of the receptacle 22 of insulating material is horizontally secured upon standards 23 in rigid position. The bottom of the receptacle 22 has apertures 24 arranged in positions related to the The wires 18 leading from the respective lamp terminals 16 extend to and through the related apertures 24. until the opposite ends are flush with the upper surface of the receptacle bottom, and are rigidly secured in this position so that the ends form electrical contacts 25. A perforated tape 26, the width of the receptacle 22 and lof non-conducting material, extends in sliding engagement therein over the bottom and outwardly at the opposing ends. The tape has perforations 2T arranged in characters or'designs, as for example those illustrated at 28. and in relation tothe wire contacts 25- and lamps 14. A grid 29 with rollers 30 at each end is superimposed on the tape 26and is adjust. ed by means of clamp bars 3l. having secur ing means 32. The receptacle bottom rhas grooves 33 at each end, within which the rollers are received. The grid is adjusted to a position which will allow the tape to slide freely between it and snugly over the receptacle bottom and below the rollers 30 in contact with the same, upwardly and over rollers 34. positioned transversely on the opposing lends of the rece tacle 22. The tape then extends downwar ly about two ing rollers 35-35" positioned in a horizontal plane below the receptacle. The

power mechanism 36, having wer transmittilig means to the roller 35 is provided. Within the receptacle 22 is placed a mercury bath 37, which rests upon the tape, retained there by the receptacle walls. The mercury can only engage the contacts 25 of the wires 18 through t-lie perforations 27 of the tape as it is drawn below the bath. A conducting wire 38 has one end integrally connected with the opposing terminal 39 of the, battery 21. The opposite end of the wire 38 is pendent in the mercury 37, thus making the mercury the terminal completingthe amp circuits as illustrated.

It will now be apparent that the tape is first perforated with desired characters or designs arranged in a manner to allow the mercury to engage predetermined contacts.

25 below the tape and thus complete related circuits, within which are related lamps'arranged to re roduce in illuminated form, the design out ined by the tape perforations. It will also be a parent that as the tape progresses throng the receptacle, the circuits are closed as soon as the mercury contacts are formed and the entire design is displayed by the lamps in illuminated form when the section of tape comprising the same is wholly below'the mercury. In the same manner the design lamps are progressively extinguished as the last perforations -in such section pass beyond the receiving end of the receptacle and the unperforated portions of the tape function as a circuit reaker between the mercury and the contact-s 25. The grid acts as a guide to retain the tape closely7 in sliding engagement over the receptacle ttom. As many designs as the tape s ace permits may be shown con secutively y the continuous ta ie, which is drawn alon in the manner escribed by some suitab e motive mechanism. The arrangement of the common terminal plate does away with a mass of circuit part y'wires which would otherwise be required to conneet the lamp terminals 15 separately with the battery terminal- 20. The split ears next the plate sockets -form a'simple and eiieient means to secure the lamps in the sockets and insure the connections. It will also be seen that the only movable part in the entire apparatus is t e tape circuit control carrying the desi s, hence Wheirset up there should be nothing to t ouff order.

As is shown` iagra'mmatieally in Fig. 1l, the tape is relatively stiff and lays flat upon the bottom of the rece tacle even though held by the spaced pen ent portions ofthe grid 29. I have discovered that stitt' paper suits the urpose admirablv and has no attraction or the mercury bath. By usingmaterial of this character and holding the same fiat upon the bottom of the rece tacle tape is a continuous strip. A convenient/ and suitable by the use of the grid 29, only a slir it `degree of tension must be sustained lby the ta e.

and easy. The mercury adjusts -itself for connections without disturbance toanv other parts, and the wires remaimfast with good contacts. The tape constitutes a most practical circuit controllin aratus in a model .haseen demonstrated to unction with accuracv for the purposes intended. If it lshould `be desired to liave an entiredesign on a tape section illuminated instantaneously this can be done by a perforation near the margin of the tape tofy close all the desi n lamp circuits when the section is Whogly within the receptacle. This would operate as a master control for circuit breaking and closing. 'The device is comparatively sim le in construction, can be cheaply manu actured, and is essentially new and useful.

I claim:

1. In an electric sign, a receptacle of insulating material having a horizontal bottom, conducting wires extending through the rece tacle, their endsforming terminals flush with the inner bottom surface of the receptacle, a bath of electricaly conducting liquid in the receptacle, and a tape of nonconduct.- ing material adapted to be drawn in sliding engagement over the bottom surface of the receptacle and over said wire terminals, the tape having a plurality of apertures therein arranged to allow the circuit between the wire terminals and liquid terminal to be closed as the apertures register with the wire terminals and the circuit to be broken as the apertures are drawn from registry, the iertures being arranged in a predetermin manner with relation to each other for said purpose.

2. In an electric sign, a receptacle of insulating material having a horizontal bottom, conductinnr Wires extending through the receptacle, tieir ends forming terminals flush with the inner bottom surface of the receptacle, a bath of electrically conducting liquid in the receptacle, a tape of non-conducting material adapted to be drawn in sliding engagement over the bottom surface of the receptacle and over said wire terminals,'the tape having a pluralit of apertures therein arranged to allow the circuit between the wire terminals and liquid terminal to be closed as the apertures register wit-lithe wire terminals and the circuit to be broken as the apertures are drawn from registry, the

means and the apv l. l'(o he movement ofthe tape is very `light apertures-being arranged in a predetermined engagement with the grid andto allow the tape to be drawn over the wire terminals as mentioned.

3. In an electric sign, a receptacle of insu*- lating material lhaving a horizontal bottom, conducting wires extending through the receptacle, their ends forming terminals flush with the inner bottom surface of the receptacle, a bath of electrically conducting liquid in the receptacle, a tape of nonconducting material adapted to be drawn. in sliding engagement over the bottom surface of the receptacle and over said wire terminals. the tape having a -plurality of apertures therein arranged to ,allow thecircuit between the wire terminals and liquidl terminals to be closed as thel apertures register with the wire terminals and the circuit to be bioken .as the apertures are drawn from re istry, the apertures being arranged in a pre eterinined manner with relationto each other for said purpose, a grid, adjustable to and securable in a position parallel with the receptacle bottom above said tape for its sliding engagement with the grid and to allow the tape to be drawn over the wire terminals as inen` tioned, vand mechanism arranged and adapt-4 ed to draw said tape through the receptacle along said course described and for the purpose mentioned.

4. In an electric sign, a receptacle of insulating material having a horizontal bottom, conducting wires extending ythrough the receptacle, their ends forming terminals Hush with the inner bottom surface of the recep-l tacle, a bath of electrically conducting liquid in the receptacle, a battery cell, a conducting wire extending from said liquid to one terminal of said cell, a second wire extendin from the o posing terminal of the cell to an interme iate connection with the opposing terminals of said receptacle wires, and a tape of non-conducting material adapted to be drawn in sliding engagement over the bottom surface of the receptacle and over said wire terminals, the tape having a plurality.

of apertures therein arranged to, allow the circuit between the wire terminals and liquid terminal to be closed as the apertures register with the wire terminals and the circuit to be broken as the apertures are drawn from registry, the apertures being arranged in a predetermined manner with relation to each other for saidl purpose.

5. In an electric circuit controlling apparatus of the character described, a receptacle, such receptacle adapted to contain a bath of electrically conducting liquid ofthe character described in the receptacle, having an insulated terminal embedded in the inner surface thereof and lying below the surface of such bath and a tape of non-conducting material adapted to be drawn inslidingerigagement oversaid surface of the receptacle and over said terminal, the tape havingan g tacle and over said terminals,

aperture therein arrangd to allow electrical contact between the terminal and the liquid as the aperture comes into registry with the former, and electrical disengagement as the aperture is moved from registry.y

6. In an electric circuit controlling apparatus of the character described, a receptacle having a bot-tom of insulating'niaterial, terminals embedded in the inner bottom surfacel of the rece tacle, such receptacle adapted to contain a bath of electrically conducting liquid of lthe character described and atape of non-conducting material adapted to be drawn over the surface of the receptacle and over said terminals, the tape having a plurality in sliding engagement i of apertures therein arranged to` allow electrical contact between the terminals and liquid as the apertures come into registry with the terminals, and electrical disengagement as the apertures are moved from registry, the apertures bein arranged ina predetermined manner wit relation to each other, for the purpose described, and a grid arranged so thatits bottom surface assumes parallelism, With-the receptacle bottom and is spaced therefrom a distance sufficient only to rinit4 the tape to be drawn between suc two members.

7. In an electric circuit controlling apparatus of the character described, a receptacle adapted to contain electrically conductive liquid and having a wall section of insulating-material, terminals embedded in the rinner surface of such receptacle section below such liquid and a tape of non-conducting material adapted to be drawn in sliding engagement over such surface of the recepmeans for producing such motion of the tape, the tape having a plurality of apertures therein arranged to allow electrical contact between the terminals and liquid as the apertures Acorne into registry with the terminals, and

electrical disengagement as the aperturesv are moved from registry, the apertures being arranged. in a predetermined manner with relation to eac i other, for the urpose described, and a guide element 'or holding such' tape in sliding engagement with the bottom of such receptacle.

8. In an electric circuit-controlling apof electrical energy, a receptacle havin a wall section of insulating material, con uctors connected to such source, ending in terminals' embedded in the inner surface of such section, a bath' of electrically conducting liquid in the rece tacle covering such section, a return conciiiit connecting such bath Vto such source, ing material adapted to be drawn in sliding engagement oversuch surface of the recep- .tacle and over` the terminals, the tape having a plurality of apertures therein variin -paratus of the character described', a source a tape of non-conductranged toallow the circuits to be 'closed as the apertures come into registry with the terminals, and to be broken as the apertures are moved from registry, the apertures be-` arra ed in a predetermined manner with relation to each other, for the purpose described. 4

9. In an electric circuit controlling aptusof the character described, a reptacle having a wall section of insulating material, spaced terminals embedded in the inner surface of such section, such latter surface constituting a guide for a perforated sheet of non-conducting material adapted to be drawn in sliding engagement With|such surface and across such spaced terminals, and such receptacle being adapted to contain a bath ofanrelectrically conducting liquid covering such terminals but separated therefrom by such sheet .of non-conductin material.

10. an electric'circuit controlling apparatus of the character described, a receptacle having a non-conducting bottom por` vtion in which a terminal is embedded facing the interif of said receptacle, the interior surface of such bottom portion extending substantially` in a horizontal plane, such receptacle being adapted to contain a bod of an electrically conducting liquid of the c aracter described overlying such terminal and a sheet of non-conducting'material arranged in slidable engagement with such interior.

surface of such receptacle bottom thereby to separate such terminal from such overlying body of liquid. l

11. In an electric circuitv controlling apparatus of the character described, a receptacle havin a non-conducting bottom portion in whic a terminal is embedded facing the interior of said receptacle, the interior Surface of such bottom portion extending substantiallyin a horizontal plane, such receptacle being adapted to contain a bod of an electrically conducting liquid of the c aracter described overlying such terminal and a sheet of non-conducting material arranged in -slidable engagement with such interior surface of such receptacle bottom thereby to separate such terminalfrom such overlying body of liquid, a guiding element extending over such terminal but spaced suliciently therefrom to define a path for such sheet of non-conducting material.

12. In an electric circuit controlling apparatus of the characterdcscribed, a receptacle having a non-conducting bottom portion in which a terminal is embedded facing the in terior of said receptacle, the interior surface of such bottom portion extending substantially in a horizontal plane, such receptacle bein adapted to contain a bod of an electrical conducting liquid of t e character descri ed overlying such terminal and a sheet 0f non-conducting material arranged in slidable engagement with such interior surface of such receptacle bottom thereby to separate such terminal from such overlyin body of liquid, a grid mounted within sai receptacle and having a guiding portion extending o'yer such terminal but s aced suiciently therefrom to define a pa for such sheet of non-conducting material.

13. In an electric circuit controlling appa ratus of the character described, a receptacle having a non-conducting bottom rtion in which a terminal is embedded acing the interior of said receptacle, the vinterior surface of such bottom portion extending substantially in a horizontal plane, such receptacle being adapted to contain a body of an electrically conducting liquid of the character described overlying such terminal and asheet of non-conducting material arranged in slidable engagement with' such interior surface of such receptacle bottom thereby to separate such terminal from such overlying body of liquid, such combination togetlier with guiding elements arranged at the ends of the bottom of the receptacle, and extending below the plane of the latter, but spaced therefrom. y

14. In an electric circuit controlling apparatus of the character described, a receptacle having a non-conducting bottom por-` tion in which a terminal is embedded facing the interior of said receptacle, the interior surface of such bottom portion extending substantially in a horizontal plane, such receptacle being ada ted to contain a bod of an electrically con ucting liquid of the c aracter described overlying such terminal and a sheet of non-conducting material arranged in" slidable engagement with such interior surface of such receptacle bottom thereby to separate such terminal from such overlying body of liquid, such combination together with guiding rollers arranged at the ends of the bottom of the receptacle, and extending below the plane of the latter, but spaced therefrom. 1

15. In an electric circuit controlling apparatus of the character described, a recep tacle having a non-conductin bottom portion. in which a terminal is em edded facing the interior of said receptacle, the interior surface of such bottoni portion extending substantially in a horizontal plane,l such receptacle being adapted to contain a bod of an electrically conducting liquid of the c aracter described overlying such terminal and -a sheet of non-conducting material arranged in slidable engagement with such interior surface of such receptacle bottom thereby to separate such terminal from such overlying body of 1i uid, such combinaion together with a gri mounted within said receptacle and having a guiding portion extending over such terminalbut s aced sufficiently therefrom to dene a pat for such sheet of nonconducting material, and a guiding element carried at-each end of s uch grid such guiding elements extending below the plane of the'bottom of the receptacle, butl spaced therefrom.,

16. In an electric circuit controlling apparatus of the character described, a receptacle having a non-conducting bottom rtion in which a terminal is embedded facing. the interior of said receptacle, the interior surface of such bottom portion extending substantially in a horizontal plane, 'a body of an electrically conducting liquid of the character described overlying such terminal, a sheet of non-conducting material arran d in slidable engagement with such interior surface of such receptacle bottom and means for moving the latter thereby separating vsuch terminal from such overlying body o liquid. v

17. In an electric circuit controlling apparatus of the character described, a receptacle having a non-conducting bottom portion in which a plurality of spaced terminals are embeddedfacing the interior of said receptacle, the interior surface of such bottom portion extending substantall in a horizontal lane, a body of an. electrlcally conducting i uid of the character described overl ing al of such terminals, a Sheet of non-con ucting material arranged in slidable Vgement with such interior surface of su receptacle bottom and means for moving the latter, thereby separating such terminals from such overlying body of liquid, a grid mounted within said receptacle and having a guiding portion extending over such terminals but spaced suiiciently therefrom to define a path for such sheet of non-conducting material, guiding elements carried b such grid and arran ed at the ends of the bottom of the receptac e, and extending below the plane 0f the latter, but spaced therefrom such sheet having perforated designs formed therein, the perforations being spaced and arranged to register with the contact terminals.

J OHN E. LONG. 

